Propeller assembly

ABSTRACT

A boat propeller having a pair of foldable propelling blades which are connected to the engine drive shaft through a dual-nut assembly comprising a first nut about the drive shaft and a locking nut about the first nut. The foldable propelling blades are connected to the drive shaft through a bolt which is slidable within a drive shaft sleeve.

Unitd States Patent 3,59L3ll Inventor Frank W. Butler 10354 Vanalden SL.Northridge, Calif. 91324 Applv No. 850,776 Filed Aug. 18, 1969 PatentedJuly 6, 1971 PROPELLER ASSEMBLY 1 Claim, 8 Drawing Figs.

11.8. C1 416/142 B6311 1/24 Field ofSearch 416/142, 244, l 34, 135, 146

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 525,431 9/1894 Sparks 4l6/244(X)Thompson 416/139 (X) Godfrey 416/146 (X) Meyer l .1 416/146(X) Beck t 4.416/140 Pierce 416/200 Primary Examiner-Everette A. Powell, Jr.AtrarneyRoben E Geauque ABSTRACT: A boat propeller having a pair offoldable 1 propelling blades which are connected to the engine driveshaft through a dua1-nut assembly comprising a first nut about the driveshaft and a locking nut about the first nut. The foldable propellingblades are connected to the drive shaft through a bolt which is slidablewithin a drive shaft sleeve.

mama] JUL em SHEET 1 [1F 2 PROPELLER ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The field of this invention relates to the moving of aphysical mass through a fluid and more specifically to the employment ofa propeller assembly to effect movement of the mass against the fluid.

The apparatus of this invention has been found to be especially usefulwherever the propeller is not the primary means of motivation as, forexample, in sailboats. A propeller-driven motor is employed onlyoccasionally as into and out of ports, yet the mounted propellerexhibits substantial drag when the sailboat is being sailed. Previously,the problem of drag has been solved by detaching the propeller andkeeping it on board until needed. However, the inconvenience, besidesthe time lost in reinstalling the propeller, makes this procedure mostundesirable.

Heretofore, there has been designed a propeller assembly which wouldovercome the above-noted problems. However, even though the propeller iscollapsible, thereby decreasing drag, such assemblies tend to be complexin design and not the most positive connection is achieved between thepropeller and the drive shaft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The propeller assembly of this inventionrelates to the mounting rotatably of a pair of propeller blades so thatthey are capable of assuming either an open or a folded position. In theopen position the blades are in the same plane, and in the foldedposition the blades are in substantial alignment with the drive shaft.In this folded position the blades are in abutting relationship andsubstantially blend with the drive shaft to minimize drag. Morespecifically, the propeller assembly of this invention includes a firstnut attached to the drive shaft with the first nut having a wrenchmember fixedly attached thereto. A second nut is to cooperate with thewrench member to secure the first nut with respect to the propellerblades.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall side view of thepropeller assembly of this invention showing how it would look asinstalled;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the propeller assembly ofthis invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 showing thepropeller blade attachments;

FIG. 6 is a partly in section view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4showing the locking nut in position;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the first nut taken along line 7-7 ofFlG.4'; and

hid. 8 is an overall perspective view of the looking nut elii= played inthis invention.

DETAILED DlifiCRlFTION Ql-IGWN EMEGDIMENT Referring particularly to thedrawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a propeller assembly 10 having a pairof propeller blades l2 and 14. Each of the blades 12 and i4 is rotatablysupported by a pivot bolt between the bifurcated end 16 of a sleeve 18.The blades 12 and 14 are permitted to rotate 90 from a position in anabutting relationship with each other to a position approximately 180apart. The blades 12 and 14 are rotatably tilted to the pivot rod 20 bycotter pins 28 and 30, respectively, passing through their respectiverotating end of the blades 12 and I4 and coming into contact withannular grooves 32 and 34, respectively, of the pivot rod 20.

The free end of sleeve 18 is connected to a motor drive shaft 22 througha key 24 and slot 26. Drive shaft 22 has a threaded end 36 which is tocooperate with a first nut 38. First nut 38 is adapted to come intocontact with annular flange 40 of sleeve 18. First nut 38 includes apolygonal wrench 42 extending from its free end and in substantial axialalignment with drive shaft 22. A locking nut 44 is to cooperate withwrench 42 through socket 46 and be capable of retaining first nut 38against rotational movement. Socket 46 is shown as being octagonal inshape with wrench 42 being square. However, it is to be understood thatthe design of each is a matter of choice and not of limitation, as anypolygonal relationship would suffice.

Locking nut 44, once in position about wrench 42 with first nut 38 beingpositioned firm against flange 40, retains the wrench 42 against anyangular movement with respect to sleeve 18 due to the cooperativerelationship of nut 44 with the bifurcated end 16 of sleeve 18. Lockingnut 44 is capable of a slight longitudinal movement once installed butsubstantial movement is prevented due to the confining relationship ofthe nut 44 between the sleeve 18 and the blades 12 and 14.

The sleeve or housing 18 which mounts the propeller is preferablyconstructed of bronze or similar material. The drive shaft 22 isseparate from and attached to housing 18 and can also be constructed ofsimilar material. Sleeve 18 includes an exterior annular recession S6 atits approximate midpoint, which is to matingly cooperate with a pair ofcollar members 58 and 60 having surfaces continuous with the sleevesurface. Collar members 58 and 60 are held together by fasteners 62, andthe members are preferably constructed of zinc alloy or similarmaterial. The purpose of collar members 58 and 60 is to preventelectrolysis from attacking the bronze material of the housing 18 and ofthe shaft 22. It is not necessary that the collar members be inserted ina recess in the housing, since the housing surface could be continuousand the collar members could be simply secured around the outside of thehousing.

Prior to operation of the motor (not shown) and rotation of drive shaft22, the propeller blades 12 and 14 should be in an abutting relationshipand in substantial axial alignment with drive shaft 22 to reduce drag.Upon operation of the motor and rotation of drive shaft 22, centrifugalforces and the reaction force of the blades against the water cause thepropeller blades to move outward in substantial planar alignment. Thetorque from the drive shaft 22 is transmitted smoothly and positively tothe propeller blades 12 and I4 through the positive connectionestablished by the first nut 38, the locking nut 44 with the wrench 42and the connection of locking nut 44 with sleeve 18.

Iclaim:

l. A propeller assembly comprising:

a housing being secured to a drive shaft, said housing being constructedof a bronze or similar material;

collar means in contact with said housing and constructed of zinc alloyor similar material for the purpose of preventing electrolysis fromattacking the material of said housing and said drive shaft;

first and second propeller blades, said 'ro" ller blades bein capable ofrotation about a singl" od f'rorn an abutting position to an operatingposition, said pivot rod being fixed to said housing; said drive shaftbeing capable of rotation, a first nut being connected to said driveshaft, a locking nut being at= taohed to said first nut and capableoftranatnitting power therefrom, said locking nut being capable of beingrotatingly filled in osition in relation to said drive shaft:

said first nut includes a polygonal socket being capable of cooperatingwith said wrench in a torquedransmltting manner thereby forming theattachment of said first nut to said inciting nut; and

said first and second propeller blades are rotatlngly held in positionupon said pivot rod by first and second pins, each of said pins tocooperate with a first and second annular groove respectively upon saidpivot rod.

1. A propeller assembly comprising: a housing being secured to a driveshaft, said housing being constructed of a bronze or similar material;collar means in contact with said housing and constructed of zinc alloyor similar material for the purpose of preventing electrolysis fromattacking the material of said housing and said drive shaft; first andsecond propeller blades, said propeller blades being capable of rotationabout a single pivot rod from an abutting position to an operatingposition, said pivot rod being fixed to said housing; said drive shaftbeing capable of rotation, a first nut being connected to said driveshaft, a locking nut being attached to said first nut and capable oftransmitting power therefrom, said locking nut being capable of beingrotatingly fixed in position in relation to sAid drive shaft; said firstnut includes a polygonal socket being capable of cooperating with saidwrench in a torque-transmitting manner thereby forming the attachment ofsaid first nut to said locking nut; and said first and second propellerblades are rotatingly held in position upon said pivot rod by first andsecond pins, each of said pins to cooperate with a first and secondannular groove respectively upon said pivot rod.